Gideon Korrell Shares 8 Legal Risks of Sharing Technology With Partners
                     Gideon 
KShoarrerse 8l lLegal 
Risks of Sharing 
Technology With 
Partners
Technology partnerships play a critical role in innovation, particularly in 
engineering-driven and highly regulated industries. According to 
Gideon Korrell, a lawyer with over 15 years of experience advising 
businesses on contracts, technology transactions, and intellectual 
property, many disputes arise not from bad intent, but from poorly 
understood legal risks at the outset of collaboration.
1. Unclear 
Intellectual 
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existing technology can result in 
disputes over who controls core 
assets. Ambiguity around background 
intellectual property or jointly 
developed outputs may lead to 
unintended loss of rights or long-term 
restrictions on use.
2. Inadequate 
Confidentiality 
Protections
Standard confidentiality agreements may 
not sufficiently protect complex technical 
information. If confidentiality obligations 
are too narrow or poorly enforced, 
sensitive know-how may be disclosed 
beyond the intended scope, with limited 
legal remedies available.
3. Undefined 
Scope of 
Permitted Use
When agreements do not precisely define 
how shared technology may be used, 
partners may apply it to unintended 
products, markets, or regions. This can 
undermine competitive advantage and 
create conflicts over commercialization 
rights.
4. Ownership of 
Improvements and 
Derivative Works
Collaborative projects often generate 
improvements or modifications to the 
original technology. Without clear 
contractual provisions, disputes may arise 
over whether enhancements belong to one 
party, both parties, or are subject to 
licensing.
5. Regulatory and 
Export Control 
EShxarpingo tescuhnriceal information in 
regulated sectors may trigger compliance 
obligations under export control, national 
security, or industry-specific regulations. 
Failure to account for these requirements 
can result in enforcement actions and 
operational delays.
6. Liability for 
Misuse or Failure
If shared technology causes harm, 
malfunctions, or regulatory violations, 
liability may extend to the technology 
owner. Poorly drafted liability and 
indemnity clauses can leave 
businesses exposed to claims arising 
from a partner’s actions.
7. Termination 
and Post-
Termination 
Risks
Partnerships may end, but access to technology can persist if 
exit provisions are unclear. Agreements should address post-
termination use, return or destruction of confidential materials, 
and ongoing obligations.
8. Dispute 
Resolution and 
Enforcement 
Technology-related disputes are often 
Ccomhpalelxl aendn cgroses-sborder. Weak dispute 
resolution clauses or unclear governing 
law provisions can make enforcement 
costly and time-consuming.
Thank 
You